A native of Tayasan, Negros Oriental is one of the Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (Tops) this year.
Engineman Second Class Staff Sgt. Arce Balasabas of the Philippine Navy is one of the winners of this year’s Tops, an annual search organized by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. and Rotary Club of Makati.
This was revealed by Metrobank Foundation Inc. President Aniceto M. Sobrepena in a letter addressed to Governor Roel Degamo on July 9 this year.
Sobrepena said Balasabas joins the elite roster of outstanding soldiers in the country who are recognized for their outstanding example of gallantry, dedication, commitment, professionalism, and integrity among members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Balasabas will receive a trophy and a cash prize of P300,000 during the awarding ceremonies on September 5.
Born on May 7, 1964 at Matuog, Tayasan, 28-year-old PO2 Balasabas joined the Philippine Navy in 1983.
He is currently designated as petty officer-in-charge of the Maintenance and Repair Branch at the Headquarters Fleet Maintenance and Support Group of the Naval Station at Felix Apolinario Camp, Panacan, Davao City.
In a profile sheet attached to Sobrepena’s letter, PO2 Balabas is said to have been instrumental in Navy’s successful response to the rescue and retrieval operations of the victims of tropical storm Sendong.
He also played a key role in the conduct of 61 in-house repairs of machinery aboard Navy vessels deployed at Eastern Mindanao.
“His expertise enabled the Philippine Navy to save man-hours and millions of pesos through timely and satisfactory repairs,” the profile sheet stated. (RMN-PIA7, Negros Oriental)
